Suffolk: More mosquito spraying scheduled for South Shore

Suffolk County has scheduled ground spraying, weather permitting, for Tuesday and Wednesday using the pesticide Anvil, with an eye toward mosquito control, county health officials said.

Spraying is planned for Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 a.m. for all streets in the communities of West Gilgo Beach, Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach and Captree Island. That, and some areas of Shirley, Mastic and Mastic Beach from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Tuesday’s treatment is to be from 6 to 10 p.m. for all streets in the Fire Island communities of Davis Park and Point O’Woods. Also from 7 to 11:30 p.m. for areas of East Patchogue, Bellport, North Bellport and Brookhaven Hamlet.

The chances of experiencing health effects from the ground spraying are “quite low,” the health department said, but children and pregnant women should avoid exposure by staying clear of the area during spraying and at least 30 minutes after.

Among the protective measures the department suggests are closing doors, windows and air-conditioning vents before spraying and keeping them closed 30 minutes after.

In addition to being annoying, some mosquitoes’ bites can transmit West Nile virus to people. This year, there is also a concern about the Zika virus, which can be transmitted by a certain type of mosquito that has not been found on Long Island.

Health officials say residents can help make areas around their homes unfriendly to mosquitoes by:

• Regularly looking for and eliminating even the smallest amounts of standing water, which is where the insects reproduce, including cans, buckets and other containers, as well as old tires, tarps, pool covers and children’s toys.
• Drilling drainage holes at the bottom of garbage cans, changing birdbath water at least weekly and making sure roof gutters are unclogged and draining properly.
• Adding fish to circulate water in any backyard ponds, and clearing pond edges of debris and vegetation.